Whether it’s a relaxing vacation or an extended trip for work, traveling means making preparations for your heating and cooling system. You won’t be using it while you’re on a trip, so you can adjust the temperature as necessary to limit your energy use. Just the same, you shouldn't just shut it down for the entire time you're out of the house.

In general, it’s better to leave your HVAC system going and adjust the temperature depending on whether it's winter or summer. That way you can minimize energy costs without stressing about returning to an uncomfortable home. We’ll explain why you should avoid turning your HVAC system off as well as the best thermostat settings for various times of year.

Here’s Why You Avoid Leaving Your Thermostat on Hold

While you may be tempted to shut your HVAC system down before a trip, this could end up leading to big problems by the time you return. This is particularly true when the weather will be severely hot or cold while you’re out of town.

For instance, turning the HVAC system down during the summer will sometimes cause very high humidity. Not only will your home feel like a swamp when you have returned, but it could have also invited mold/mildew growth or pest infestations.

And over the winter, letting your house get cold can lead to pipes freezing up or even bursting. It’s an awful feeling to return home from a long trip only to come across substantial water damage nearby a broken pipe.

Best Thermostat Settings While at Work

You can make temperature adjustments even when you're just going to work. Because you’re out of the house for 8 hours or more, it doesn’t seem sensible to keep an empty home the same temperature as when you're home. Generally, it’s suggested to turn up the thermostat by 5 degrees or more. This means that if you prefer a comfortable 72 degrees, consider adjusting it to 76-77 while you’re out.

But you can save even more if you're open to further adjusting the temperature. As stated by the Department of Energy, you may save around 10% on your HVAC expenses by making an adjustment of 7-10 degrees.

Best Thermostat Settings While on a Trip in Summer

If you're on a lengthier trip in the hottest part of summer, you can make more significant adjustments. This prevents wasting energy while still defending your home from the hassles that come with leaving it without air conditioning. About 5 degrees is suitable for shorter trips while closer to 10 degrees is best if you’ll be gone for 2 weeks or longer. If you like keeping the house at 72 in the summer, 78-82 should offer the best results.

Recommended Thermostat Settings While on Vacation in Winter

To try and find the most energy-efficient thermostat setting for a winter getaway, consider lowering the temperature by the same amount you would increase it in summer. 68 is a popular winter thermostat setting, so lowering it to 63-58 will protect your plumbing while restricting how long your furnace operates.

A Smart Thermostat Can Help: Benefits of Smart Thermostat Installation

A great way to manage your home’s HVAC system while away from home is by investing in a smart thermostat. This advanced type of programmable thermostat employs intelligent software to monitor your usual comfort habits. It learns these preferences and makes automatic changes to the schedule for maximum energy efficiency. And with Wi-Fi connectivity, you can remotely adjust your heating and cooling with a smartphone or tablet.

Smart thermostats are loaded with features to help you save even more. For instance, some models can observe electricity prices to bolster heating or cooling when prices are lowest. They can also work with high-efficiency, variable-speed equipment to optimize how long your HVAC system has to run. It’s the perfect tool to enhance how you use your comfort system. If you’re planning on investing in a smart thermostat, there are multiple ways you can lower your costs, effectively getting a smart thermostat for free. The next time you are away from home, you can receive true peace of mind that your HVAC system won’t stir up any trouble while you’re away.